419 Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam (2006-01)

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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

The so-called "419" scam is a type of fraud dominated by criminals from Nigeria and other countries in Africa. Victims of the scam are promised a large amount of money, such as a lottery prize, inheritance, money sitting in some bank account, etc.

Victims never receive this non-existent fortune but are tricked into sending their money to the criminals, who remain anonymous. They hide their real identity and location by using fake names and fake postal addresses as well as communicating via anonymous free email accounts and mobile phones.

Keep in mind that scammers DO NOT use their real names when defrauding people.
The criminals either abuse names of real people or companies or invent names or addresses.
Any real people or companies mentioned below have NO CONNECTION to the scammers!

Read more about such scams here or in our 419 FAQ. Use the Scam-O-Matic to verify suspect emails.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "a security company " (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "million united states dollars" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- "is 100% risk-free" (almost true for the criminal trying to scam you - arrests of online criminals are rare)
- "i got your address from " (this SPAM email was probably sent to thousands of people)
- "robert mugabe" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
This email message is a orphan scam.
This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- +27732291403 (South Africa, prepaid mobile phone)
This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- mr.fredrick3@hotmail.com (Hotmail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: Mpoyo Jennifer <mpoyoj3@hotmail.com>
Date: Mon, 24 May 2010 08:22:30 +0000
Subject: =?windows-1256?Q?Please_cal?= =?windows-1256?Q?l_me_mobil?=
=?windows-1256?Q?e:_0027-73?= =?windows-1256?Q?-229-1403=FE?=

>From : Mr. FREDRICK MPOYO
MOBILE: +27-73-229-1403
ATTN :
DIRECTOR/C.E.O ,

I am the elder son of LATE MR. DANIEL MPOYO from Zimbabwe.
This might be a surprise to you where I got your contact address.I got
your address from South African Information Exchange in
Johannesburg.During the current war against the farmers in Zimbabwe from the supports of
our President Robert Mugabe to claim all
the white-owned farms to his party members and his followers, he
ordered all the white-owned farmers to surrender all their farms to his
party members and his followers.

My father was one of the best farmers in our country and because he
did not support his idea, supporters invaded my father’s farm and burnt
everything in the farm, killing my father and made away with a lot of
items in my father’s farm.After the death of my father, i and my family
decided to move out from Zimbabwe because our lives
are still in danger with the money my father kept safe in my mother’s
care. The amount is US$ 9.Million(Nine Million United States
Dollars)and we decided to move to the Republic of South Africa
where we deposited the money in a Security Company as valuables. So, I
decided to contact overseas Firm that will assist me to move this money
out of South Africa,
because we are asylum
seekers here in South Africa.We have agreed to give
you from the total sum 20% for helping us to move this money to your
country and 5%:will be mapped out for expenses both of us might incured
during this transaction while the balance will be
for my family investment in your country.

All I want is for you to furnish me with all your banking details
and your personal phone and fax numbers for easy communication. Please
do send your reply through my private mail box(mr.fredrick3@hotmail.com)

and also you can contact me on the above telephone numbers.Note
that this transaction is 100% risk-free and it requires mutual trust and
absolute confidentiality and I have taken care of all formalities
regarding it.Your urgent response will be highly appreciated in this
regard,Thanks and a pleasant day.

Best regards,

MR.FREDRICK MPOYO
MOBILE: +27-73-229-1403
_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam